The Activity Therapist Hampstead is responsible for providing activity therapy services at the direction of the site supervisor.
Responsibilities
Responsible for providing activity therapy services to patients in the facility in accordance with the policies and procedures of both the company and the Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility (HHRTF)—and be consistent with recognized standards of activity therapy.
Responsible for abiding by the security regulations and limits of confidentiality of patient information requirements of the HHRTF.
Provide provision of a program of activities for patients as assigned by Supervisor to include, but not limited to the following:
Task Groups: Individual or group activities that promote the development of basic skills, promote the ability to interact in a group setting, and provide the patient with self-esteem through a sense of accomplishment.
Socialization Groups: Opportunity to participate in group recreational activities to promote social skills.
Community Meeting: To encourage patient participation and active involvement in group problem solving.
Education/Recreational groups (e.g., "Life Skills", "Current Events", “Crafts”).
Engagement in unstructured recreational activities (e.g., board games).
Engagement of patient in conversation to promote inter-personal communication.
Opportunity for individual and group physical exercise activities.
Availability of appropriate activities material (e.g., magazines, puzzles, writing/drawing materials).
Monitoring and documentation of patients’ involvement in activities. Specific duties include the following:
Regular monitoring of patient's program involvement.
Monitoring of patient's condition.
Provide individual activities for patients unable to cope with the group activities as assigned.
Document patient involvement in activity therapy using progress notes in the patient's health record.
Participation in in-service sessions, staff meetings, and treatment team meetings as scheduled by Supervisor.
Notification to Supervisor in a timely manner of patient or departmental problems requiring attention. Request additional supervision when indicated.
Notification to Supervisor when supply inventory requires attention.
Compliance with employee standards of the company, as well as applicable employee standards of the HHRTF. Compliance includes, but is not limited to, the maintenance of a working environment and personal appearance consistent with professional responsibilities, development of harmonious working relationship, and timely notification of supervisory personnel of absences.
Qualifications
Associate's degree from an accredited institute of higher education with major study in adapted physical education, recreational therapy, occupational therapy, education psychology, counselling, health related-field , or sociology. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.
Three years of experience in the field of public or private school education, counselling, leading activity based programs, allied health, or experience in an acceptable community service program working with individuals who have mental illness or other disabilities/special needs. Each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education.
Preferred Qualifications:
Certification as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist preferred.
Ability to apply principles of critical thinking to a variety of practical and emergent situations and accurately follow standardized procedures that may call for deviations.
Ability to apply sound judgment beyond a specific set of instructions and apply knowledge to different factual situations.
Ability to remain alert at all times; pay close attention to details.
Ability to work under stress on a regular or continuous basis.